Reusable mapping rules for data to data transformation

Abstract

What is described is a method and a system for data transformation by using predefined mapping rules. A transformation between a source data object and a target data object is defined and an initial mapping of elements from the source data object to the target data object is created. A predefined mapping rule is applied as a subsequent mapping between the source data object and the target data object to adjust the transformation. The mapping from the source data object to the target data object is displayed via a graphical user interface.

1 . A computer implemented method for data transformation using mapping rules comprising:
 defining a data transformation between a source data object and a target data object;   creating an initial mapping of elements from the source data object to the target data object;   applying a predefined mapping rule as a subsequent mapping between the source data object and the target data object; and   displaying the mapping from the source data object to the target data object.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a request for the data transformation between the source data object and the target data object. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein defining a transformation further comprises gathering information about the data structures to be mapped. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising editing the predefined mapping rule. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predefined mapping rule is automatically chosen from a plurality of predefined mapping rules. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising creating a new mapping rule and saving the new mapping rule in a library for reuse. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mapping is displayed by using a Graphical User Interface (GUI). 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data transformation is shown on a display using a collapse/expand mapping feature. 
   
   
       9 . A mapping unit for data transformation using mapping rules comprising:
 a source data object and a target data object;   a mapping module to define a data transformation between the source data object and the target data object and to create an initial mapping of their elements;   a predefined mapping rule to be applied as a subsequent mapping between the source data object and the target data object; and   a display for showing the default mapping from the source data object to the target data object.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the mapping module receives a request for the data transformation between the source data object and the target data object. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising an editor for editing the predefined mapping rule. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the predefined mapping rule is automatically chosen from a plurality of predefined mapping rules. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a library for storing of a newly created mapping rule for reuse. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the mapping is displayed by using a Graphical User Interface (GUI). 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the data transformation is shown on a display using a collapse/expand mapping feature. 
   
   
       16 . A computer program product, tangibly stored on a machine readable medium, for data transformation using mapping rules, the product comprising instructions operable to cause a processor to:
 define a data transformation between a source data object and a target data object;   create an initial mapping of elements from the source data object to the target data object;   apply a predefined mapping rule as a subsequent mapping between the source data object and the target data object; and   display the default mapping from the source data object to the target data object.   
   
   
       17 . The product of  claim 16 , further comprising instructions to receive a request for the data transformation between the source data object and the target data object. 
   
   
       18 . The product of  claim 16 , further comprising instructions to gather information about the data structures to be mapped. 
   
   
       19 . The product of  claim 16 , further comprising instructions to edit the predefined mapping rule. 
   
   
       20 . The product of  claim 16 , further comprising instructions to choose automatically the predefined mapping rule from a plurality of predefined mapping rules. 
   
   
       21 . The product of  claim 16 , further comprising instructions to create a new mapping rule and save the new mapping rule in a library for reuse. 
   
   
       22 . The product of  claim 16 , further comprising instructions to display the mapping by using a Graphical User Interface (GUI). 
   
   
       23 . The product of  claim 16 , further comprising instructions to show the data transformation on a display using a collapse/expand mapping feature.